A week ago, I tried to swap Hauladay decks between the two bikes. Sadly, I realized that the two decks weren't compatible. Each bike was one of the first of its kind so there were some sizing differences. I wanted the Xtracycle deck on my HaD, the Mk3, because of the deck cutouts for the Yepp Maxi seat. The diamond plate works better on the original HaD, which is now living at my parents' house, because it's more of a cargo bike and less of a people-hauler.

After my first attempt at swapping the decks, I ended up stripping the mounting points on my Mk3. Neither bike was very functional without a deck so we've been HaulaDay-less for too long. The final straw came a few days ago when the Bullitt's brake cable snapped as I was walking it down the driveway. Out of three cargo bikes, we had none to use! How does that happen?

Thankfully, I have an awesome friend and neighbor, Neil, and today we (by we, I mean he) had some time to help work on the bikes.

Tapping out the threads that I stripped.

Drilling new holes for the deck.

So now you all know that Neil is the best and I owe him lots and lots of cookies.

Before you go, here are some more fun things that we've been up to:

A test of space-claiming on the road.

Free trampoline pick-up! Also great for space-claiming.

Our last visit with the original IslaBike, the CNOC that started it all! Our friends from Redding were in town and bought it for their son. I'm so glad it's getting such great use!

X on his new-to-him CNOC! He loves it and we're so happy for him!

Our return group from February's Kidical Mass ride to Iceland (the skating rink). Big Brother rode the whole way there and back--about 14 miles total!

I think the last couple of weeks have been bad mojo for bikes! We had 2 fairly new chains break (the Long Haul Trucker and my old hybrid) and then discovered we'd crushed the LHT frame by tightening the kick stand too much. Seems strange that the frame of a bike designed as a touring bike is so easily crushed by mounting a kickstand, but... oh well. Does anyone have advise on ways to buttress the LHT frame so it can take a kickstand? We had been using the 2 legged Plescher before which is what Surly recommends as least problematic and clearly we had problems.

Reply

Lamaia

2/28/2015 03:07:08 pm

Oh, I should clarify we are getting a new frame, so I'd be seeking to buttress a new frame so we could use a kickstand again instead of trying to put our large daughter on the back of a bike w/o a kickstand.

Reply

Elle

3/1/2015 06:21:49 am

Are they giving you a new frame? So far, I haven't heard any suggestions on how to get a kickstand on, just suggestions of getting a different frame to support a kickstand. Surlys are known for their kickstand disregard.

Lamaia

3/1/2015 07:28:53 am

No, but they are giving a discount. We bought it originally at the Bicycle Business and they are being really great and accommodating about trying to resolve the situation.
Have you heard suggestions for other frames that would allow us to remove all the parts from the LHT and put them on a different frame again?

Reply

neil

3/1/2015 01:59:35 pm

The velo orange campeur frame set has kickstand plate

Reply

Elle Bustamante

3/1/2015 09:30:18 am

One recommendation was a Rivendell or CoMotion frame.

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Martin

3/1/2015 06:04:53 pm

Did the Xtracycle deck need new holes drilled to fit on the Mark III deck? I just got a Mark III Hauladay and am trying to find an alternative to the diamond deck. The "Whoopie-Deux" bars feel like a bit of a hack, but I like that the back is open. It makes climbing in easy for my kids, and they're old enough that I'm not worried about them falling out the back from inattention or drowsiness.

Reply

Elle

3/2/2015 01:34:40 am

The holes needed to be opened just a tiny bit for the Xtracycle deck to fit. Let me (or Bike Friday) know if it still has the issue on yours.

In what way do the W-D bars feel like a hack? I really like them better than the Hooptie I had originally. I had a similar set up on my Mundo with the stoker stem and a set of cruiser handlebars so to me, the W-D is nice and sleek with fewer fights over hand placement.

Congratulations on the Mk3! Any photos to share?

Reply

Martin

3/3/2015 04:27:54 pm

I don't like that the rear brace has to screw into the top of the deck. It makes the rear half of the deck awkward to sit on. I also don't have my seatpost set very high, so even with the stoker stem up as high as it will go the front end of the Whoopie-Deux is noticeably lower than the rear end. Plus any adjustment of the seatpost means loosening the stoker stem, so it makes it a hassle to take advantage of the HaD's unique adjustability.

In contrast, the Yuba Monkey Bars and the Xtracycle Hooptie both mount under the deck, the bars are nice and level, and they don't interfere with adjusting seat height. They seem more thought-out as a whole system, though I know that Bike Friday is adapting quickly as they go.

Martin

3/3/2015 04:33:58 pm

Looking more closely at your photos, it also looks like your Whoopie-Deux bar goes further back than mine. Mine are maybe an inch too short to meet the rear brace if it's attached to the last set of holes on the deck. If it could reach, and if the stoker stem had a bit more vertical rise, it would probably be a much more comfortable setup for the kids.

Elle

3/4/2015 04:05:05 am

I agree that it does take a few more steps with the W-D bars. I don't usually share my bike so I don't have that issue very often. I do notice that there is some flexibility by an inch or two so I can raise and lower the seat some without loosening the stoker stem. I didn't like the fully-enclosed aspect of the Hooptie because my kids couldn't get in or out without my help.

The first W-D bars I had were much lower, narrower, and shorter. I talked with BF and asked them to make ones that were higher, wider, and longer and I've been much happier with the second set. I'd recommend checking in with them if yours are a problem.

One issue with the Monkey Bars was that you still had to adjust the seat forward if you wanted your seatpost lower than the bars and then you'd still have the MB resting at your back in a weird place. I don't think the Hooptie has that issue. If you get an Xtracycle deck, you can mount the Hooptie onto it.

Lamaia

3/1/2015 11:43:48 pm

Thanks all for your suggestions! We'll look into them! You all really are a giving, supportive group of people. :)

It's freezing cold where I am right now and I am dreaming of days of bike touring with our two kids and, right now (!), the Haul-a-Day is looking like a great solution for taking on a plane. We already have an Edgerunner and the "family" accessories. So, just to confirm: a) the Xtracycle deck fits with a bit of um encouragement on the newer Haul-a-Days? and b) the Hooptie fits, too? Thanks :) Love your blog.